Regional Seminar on Accessibility of the Environment, Universal Design, Tourism and Development

Maputo, MozambiqueMarch 1-3, 2010

Disability Inclusive Tourism as a tool to promote development

"On Lessons Learned from the African DecadeBy Thomas Ong’olo

12 minutes

THE AFRICAN DECADE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The African Union declared 1999-2009 as the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities.

  The GOAL

The full participation, equality and empowerment of people with disabilities in Africa, favoring equalization of opportunities, full participation and their independence in society.

  The Decade seeks to raise awareness about the

situation of the estimated 80 million people with disabilities in Africa, and to identify solutions tailored to the African experience that enhance full participation, equality and empowerment.

 

THE DECADE OBJECTIVES

To significantly increase inclusion of disabled persons in all poverty reduction programs, the number of disabled children and youth in schools and educational programs, and the numbers of disabled persons receiving adequate health services.

 THE STRATEGIES  Strategies selected to achieve the objectives were

building effective partnerships among Decade stakeholders, capacity building of disabled peoples organizations and allies in the region, as well as awareness building through public education events and improved regional communications.

SECRETARIAT OF AFRICAN DECADE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SADPD

The vision of the SADPD is that of an African continent where people with disabilities enjoy their human rights.

The mission of the SADPD is to achieve increased inclusive development and human rights for persons with disabilities by being a credible, knowledge based disability organization that works in partnership with African governments, civil society organizations (CSOs) and Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) in the mainstreaming of disability.

The Secretariat’s activities include capacity building and giving technical support to DPOs and governments on the African continent, facilitation of networks, to raise awareness about disability on the continent, to be a knowledge base on disability, development and human rights, as well as playing a role in the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of disability’s specific policy and programmes on the continent. Its programmes have covered in different degrees the following countries:

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE AFRICAN DECADE

  Setting up continental alliance of DPOs   Capacity building of DPOs to be voice of PWD   Evidence based research and advocacy  

Relations brokering [Engaging governments in selected countries on issues of disability

monitoring and implementation]  Disability Legislations, Policies & Programmes  Disability MAINSTRAMING in Government Plans, PRSPs  Representation of Persons with Disabilities

HOW AFRICAN DECADE ACHIEVEMENTS CAN FOSTER ACCESS TOURISM

  

LESSONS FROM AFRICAN DECADE CAN BENEFIT IMPROVING tourism FOR PwD.

This might include:

* Country's PRSP goals can be met by Inclusive Tourism itineraries,

By marketing PWD produced products to tourists By hiring PwD in tourism-related roles

* African Decade website & publications can showcase projects to improve travel opportunities for PwD as domestic travelers and citizens in their own countries or as foreign guests in Africa

* The New interest by partners can be directed to support DPO projects  that build capacity for inclusion in tourism in achieving African Decade's objectives

*DPO can mobilize different groups of PWD to enroll in access tourism careers

ROLE OF DPOS 

 

Specific roles DPOs can play after capacity-building) in championing Inclusive of Tourism in their countries include:

  Facilitate development of trustworthy information on destination and

topics necessary to travelers with disabilities  Lobbying national tourism authority for accessible booking systems that

guarantee access to accessible transport, lodging, and entertainment  Opening dialogue with professional & businesses on standardization of

building codes and transportation policies around international best practices

  Awareness with the media on examples of good business on tourism for

PWD

Award for accessible tourist destinations with periodic ranking lists  Mobilize PWD to enjoy local tourist destinations  

MARKET Potential OF Inclusive Tourism for PWD

Itineraries: Hot springs, managed by Ethiopia ex-leprosy

Fashion: Beedwork and style Circuits: Sign language interpreters services

 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESEARCH

 The type of research still required in order for DPOs to

communicate the business case for Inclusive Tourism in Africa include:

How local inclusive standards can promote accessible tourism

Show potential of PWD contribution in local tourism economy

How environment adjustment increases PWD reservations

Market value of African PwD population as potential Travelers

THE END